It Started With Something (Minsung + Hyunlix)

6. Minho

Minho fell onto his bed, letting his body mold to the soft mattress and closing his eyes. If he thought school was horrible, he'd just been slapped in the face with the torture that was homework. Hours ago, though it felt like centuries, he, Changbin, Chan, and Hyunjin had walked back from school, hands full of sheets of paper they had to complete.

Voices waltzed around him, filling every corner of the space. It was a large room, old and dusty with creaky wooden floorboards. Beds lined the two longest walls, adding up to thirty. The four boys had beds next to each other and were surrounded by other gang members.

It was never silent as there was always someone walking in or out, conversations were endless between small groups. Everyone was given their jobs at different times of the day, so Minho would often be woken up multiple times by people's alarms.

But no one was ever mad. No one was ever upset at the interruption. They would just roll over and go back to sleep. That's just how it was.

"Get up Min, its 10:58, you're gonna be late." Chan prodded the younger's shoulder repeatedly as he spoke. Minho looked up annoyed, slapping the hand away and sitting up. He packed away the half done and halfhearted homework into his bag for the morning.

The boy grabbed his black hoodie and sweatpants, changing into them and slipping on a pair of old, and worn cons. The laces were frayed, and the white was mostly covered in dirt. He grabbed a cap and mask, black matching the rest of his outfit, and put them on.

This is what they all wore for work, so that they could blend into the night.

Minho picked up a small, empty, crossbody bag. Chan was standing at the end of his bed, waiting and making sure he got ready quickly. As the younger started to walk towards him, he held out a fist, the other bumping it.

He walked through the room, ruffling Changbin's hair as he walked past, the shorter looking up from his homework annoyed and flipping him off. Minho chuckled as he left the room, climbing a set of stairs and walking into another room.

An old man sat at a large desk looked up as he walked in. He pointedly looked at his watch.

"You're late." Minho sighed.

"It's 11:01." He said as he sat across from him.

"Still late." Before he could respond, someone else entered the room. Hyunjin sat down in the other chair and the elder pointed at him.

"He's later than me." The other scowled at him as the old man sighed.

"That doesn't make you any less late." Minho rolled his eyes. "Anyway, back to what your jobs are tonight." The man dug around in a draw, pulling out multiple bags of white powder and two notepads.

He split the bags, giving two to Hyunjin and three to Minho as well as a notepad each. The elder looked at the scrawly writing, seeing three names and times as well as a list of what they would be wearing.

"These are your clients this evening. Minho, you'll be stationed at the corner of district 9, be careful not to pass the line." He turned his attention to the other. "Hyunjin, you'll be stationed at house 143, the-"

"The abandoned house where I have to hide between that one and the next one. I got it." He cut the man off in a robotic tone, as if he'd said the same sentence a hundred times. They both grabbed their items and shoved them in their bags.

Minho stood first and left, the other following. They walked in silence to the front, heading into the brisk air.

"Good luck man." The elder said, patting Hyunjin's shoulder. He nodded and patted his arm back before turning and starting down the path, dark figure disappearing into the darkness. Minho did the same and headed in the opposite direction.

He soon arrived at the corner he'd been to countless times. Leaning on the brick wall, it's not long before a guy comes up to him. He's wearing grey sweatpants and a dark blue shirt.

"Yeonjun?" He questions, the stranger nodding and pulling out a wad of cash. Minho takes it from his hand, quickly counting it and putting it in his bag. He then fishes out one of the small plastic bags of powder and hands it to the man, who bows slightly and walks away.

The other looks at his notepad, seeing he'll have to wait half an hour for the next customer.

"Fuck my life." He whispers to himself, pulling out his phone. A finger taps on his shoulder surprising him and he whips around, holding his hands up defensively. Jisung steps back slightly, surprised before crossing his arms with an unimpressed look on his face.

"What are you doing?" He asks, gaze travelling to the little, black bag. Minho puts a hand on it and straightens his stance.

"None of your business." He says coldly, looking around for his client. The younger scoffs.

"So, it must be something gang related?" The elder's eyes shoot to him, narrowing. He steps closer, putting his hands on his hips.

"I suggest you leave before you get in trouble." He says menacingly. Jisung pouts and quickly grabs his bag, swiftly unclipping it from the strap and taking a few steps back. He pulls out one of the plastic bags, eyes going wide in shock.

"Why the fuck are you dealing drugs?" He asks loudly. Minho snatches his bag and the plastic bag back, fixing it and walking back to the corner, the younger following.

"Answer me goddammit!" The elder turns back, grabbing his wrist and whirling around, pressing him to the wall.

"I don't have a choice. Happy?" He asks annoyed. Jisung was frozen at their closeness, feeling the elder's panting tickling his skin. His expression softens and he goes to apologize when the other speaks again.

"I don't want your pity or apologies." The younger shuts his mouth, instead just staring into the elder's dark eyes. Minho steps back, turning around as another man approaches. He does the deal quickly and when he turns back, the boy has disappeared.